PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S J Winawer

Publications and source records attributed to S J Winawer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Risk and surveillance of individuals with colorectal polyps. Who Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.

Since colorectal adenomas are very probably the precursors of colorectal cancer, their detection and removal should result in a decrease in the incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer. Individuals who harbour an adenoma have a 30-50% probability of having additional adenomas at that time, and a 30% probability of having additional adenomas later. Adenomas are prevalent in countries where colorectal cancer is prevalent, about two-thirds of them being tubular and the rest tubulovillous or villous. The initial management of patients with an adenoma consists in searching by colonoscopy the entire colon and removing all additional polyps. Surgical resection is required wherever there is invasive cancer with adverse histological factors. Follow-up in most patients can be after 2-4 years, earlier follow-up being reserved for patients with numerous polyps or with a polyp that had been removed piecemeal. The results of ongoing trials should provide firm guidelines for follow-up and could also be used in mathematical modelling to examine alternative strategies and to help understand the evolving patterns of appearance of new polyps. Finally, a deeper understanding of the biology and inherited and acquired genetics will help identify individuals at risk for adenomas initially and at follow-up. Nutritional factors may also provide a basis for prevention of adenomas in high-risk countries. Many of these issues are being addressed in current research.

Adenoma↗

Natural history and current management of colorectal polyps.

There are numerous histological types of colon polyps. The neoplastic polyp, the precursor to colon cancer, is called an adenoma. Adenomas vary in frequency throughout the world and are particularly prevalent in Western countries. The belief that after several years of development some adenomas will become cancers is termed the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. These adenomas occur in both males and females and their incidence increases with age. While small polyps were once considered unimportant, it is now recognized that adenomas may be small. The clinical importance of other small polyps, most often hyperplastic polyps, is still being investigated. When adenomas are found in the colon a full colonoscopy with removal of all polyps and review of their pathology should be performed.

Adenoma↗

Primary prevention of colorectal cancer. The WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Epidemiological and laboratory animal studies have established a link between various nutritional factors and the etiology of this cancer. Recent studies in genetic epidemiology and molecular biology have shown that inherited genetic factors also play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Thus, genetic-nutritional interactions may form the basis for the development of this cancer. Nutritional factors that appear to promote or attenuate the carcinogenic process in the colon include fat, excess calories, fibre, calcium, selenium, and various vitamins. Strategies for primary prevention of colorectal cancer should therefore be targeted to all populations who are at risk because of dietary and hereditary predisposition. Based on current knowledge, recommended nutrition guidelines for reducing the risk of colon cancer include decreased fat consumption, adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and calcium, and avoidance of overweight. Research to further elucidate the role of diet in colorectal carcinogenesis should include randomized studies in humans, testing of various nutritional regimens, and the use of colonic adenomas and markers of cell proliferation and differentiation as end-points.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Screening of average-risk individuals for colorectal cancer. WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.

Recent developments in screening, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer could lead to a reduction in mortality from this disease. Removal of adenomas, identification of risk factors, appropriate application of accurate diagnostic tests, and aggressive anatomic-surgical resection of colon cancers may already be having a favourable impact. Screening of average-risk populations over the age of 50 also offers promise in the control of this important cancer. The disease is of sufficient magnitude to deserve detection at an early stage with better prospects of patient survival, since screening tests with moderate sensitivity and high specificity are available. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and faecal occult blood tests are sufficiently acceptable to be included in case-finding among patients who are in the health care system. The results of current controlled trials involving more than 300,000 individuals for evaluating the impact of screening on mortality from colon cancer are needed before this approach can be recommended for general public health screening of the population. Further research is required to develop better screening tests, improve patient and physician compliance, and answer more definitively critical questions on cost-effectiveness. Mathematical modelling using current and new data can be used to determine the effectiveness of screening in conjunction with recommendations for primary prevention.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Risk and surveillance of individuals with heritable factors for colorectal cancer. WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.

Heritable and genetic factors pertinent to colon cancer can be divided into three categories: inherited syndromes, genetic epidemiology, and molecular genetics. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner syndrome (GS) are rare dominantly inherited syndromes characterized by hundreds to thousands of colonic adenomatous polyps. Colon cancer occurs at a young age in both diseases unless the colon is removed. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and familial juvenile polyposis are inherited hamartomatous polyposis conditions with a less dramatic, but definite, increased risk for colon cancer. These four polyposis syndromes together account for less than 1% of cases of colon malignancy. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer is a dominantly inherited form of colon cancer characterized by an early age of onset and a predilection for proximal colonic tumours. Multiple primary malignancies are frequently observed and one or several adenomatous polyps are often present in affected individuals; 4-6% of colon cancer cases occur in relationship to this syndrome. Genetic epidemiological studies have consistently shown that first-degree relatives of persons with colon cancer have a twofold to threefold increased risk of having colon malignancy. More recent studies have found a similar risk among relatives of those with adenomatous polyps. Studies of colon cancer and adenomatous polyps in pedigrees have further demonstrated that this familial clustering probably occurs on the basis of partially penetrant inherited susceptibilities. These inherited susceptibilities probably interact with environmental factors to give rise to polyp growth and finally colon cancer. Molecular studies have begun to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of colon cancer at the DNA level. The germinal mutation of FAP and GS has been localized to the long arm of chromosome 5. Tissue samples from "random" adenomatous polyps and colon cancers have shown frequent and specific acquired DNA sequence deletions on chromosomes 5, 17, and 18. Mutations and over-expression of the ras oncogene likewise have been observed in such tissues. The chromosome 5 defect in polyp and cancer tissues is probably at the same locus as the germinal mutation of FAP. There is evidence that this locus normally regulates expression of the c-myc oncogene, which in turn probably has a regulatory function in DNA replication. The chromosome 17 deletion is a mutation of the gene for the transformation-associated protein, p53. Appropriate screening starting at a relatively young age is necessary to prevent cancer in the inherited syndromes. Screening is also indicated in close relatives of those with nonsyndromic or common colon cancer in view of the moderately increased risk for colon cancer in this group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

International collaboration for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

This brief paper describes the involvement of the World Health Organization in promoting international collaboration for the prevention of colorectal cancer, more than half a million cases of which are diagnosed every year. A WHO Collaborating Centre was designated in 1985 in the USA and the activities of this Centre have included the preparation of a series of six articles for publication in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization. These articles deal with primary prevention, risk and screening of average-risk individuals, as well as risk and surveillance of individuals with chronic ulcerative colitis, colorectal polyps, and heritable factors for colorectal cancer.

Cancer Care Facilities↗

The National Polyp Study. Patient and polyp characteristics associated with high-grade dysplasia in colorectal adenomas.

The National Polyp Study (NPS), a randomized clinical trial to evaluate effective surveillance of patients discovered to have one or more colorectal adenomas, was the framework for this statistical analysis which used a multiple logistic model to assess the independent risk factors of patient and polyp characteristics associated with high-grade dysplasia in adenomas. The database included 3371 adenomas from 1867 patients. Adenoma size and the extent of the villous component were found to be the major independent polyp risk factors associated with high-grade dysplasia (p less than 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratios were 3.3 for medium-sized adenomas and 7.7 for large adenomas relative to small adenomas and 2.7 for villous A adenomas, 3.4 for villous B adenomas, and 8.1 for villous C and D adenomas relative to tubular adenomas. Increased frequency of high-grade dysplasia in adenomas located distal to the splenic flexure was attributable mainly to increased size and villous component rather than to location per se. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.4 (p less than 0.11) for left-sided location. Multiplicity of adenomas affected the risk for high-grade dysplasia in patients but was dependent on adenoma size and villous component and was not an independent factor. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.3 (p less than 0.17) for multiplicity. Increasing age was associated with risk for high-grade dysplasia in patients, and this effect was independent of the effect of adenoma size and histological type. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.8 (p less than 0.0016) for age greater than or equal to 60 yr. Gender was not associated with high-grade dysplasia. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.0 (p less than 0.95) for men. The size of the patient series, the prospective nature of the data collection, the completeness of information on all patients, the requirements of complete examination of the entire colon and pathological examination of all lesions encountered, and the exclusion of patients with previously diagnosed adenomas are, collectively, features unique to this study. The detailed model provided by the analysis integrates multiple patient and adenoma factors associated with high-grade dysplasia in colorectal adenomas.

Adenoma↗

Colonic epithelial cell proliferation in responders and nonresponders to supplemental dietary calcium.

Supplemental dietary calcium decreased and normalized hyperproliferation of colonic epithelial cells in individuals in familial colon cancer kindreds, measured by rates and patterns of [3H]thymidine labeling of epithelial cells in colonic crypts. In whole colonic crypts hyperproliferation was decreased to lower levels in over one-half of the subjects individually studied during the course of the calcium supplementation regimen. The remaining familial colon cancer subjects did not show reductions in cell proliferation measured over the whole crypt. However, when their cell-labeling data were analyzed in regions of the colonic crypt, the size of the proliferative compartment decreased and contracted towards the crypt base after calcium, a pattern typical of individuals at decreased risk for colonic cancer. This contraction of the proliferative region of the crypts occurred through decreased cell labeling in the two crypt compartments closest to the luminal surface and increased cell labeling in the second crypt compartment nearest to the base of the crypt. Following in vitro exposure of colonic epithelial cells to increasing physiological amounts of calcium, cell proliferation in familial colon cancer subjects decreased uniformly and greater heterogeneity in responsiveness was observed in cells from individuals with familial polyposis.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Heterogeneous responses of human colon carcinomas to hexamethylene bisacetamide.

Primary cultures of resected human colon carcinoma were used to study differentiation agents directly on the biologically relevant cancer cells rather than on highly selected established cell lines. To achieve primary cultures which remained viable and replicating for several days, carcinomas were partly digested to epithelial organoids, which were selectively plated with high efficiency on collagen I-bovine serum albumin films in specially formulated serum-free medium. A monoclonal antibody, 29-15, was identified which binds to a cell surface epitope expressed on 16 of 21 invasive colon carcinomas of the Dukes' B2, C, or D histopathology classes, but not expressed on any of 11 noninvasive benign tumors (adenomas) at identical antibody titer. Noncytotoxic concentrations of the differentiation agent, hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), induced the loss of the 29-15 epitope from HT29 colon carcinoma cells. HMBA also induced HT29 cells to lose the capacity for anchorage-independent growth with a similar dose-response curve and time course to the loss of 29-15 epitope. Twelve primary cultured human colon carcinomas exhibited differential responses when exposed to 1 to 7 mM HMBA for 7 days. Four moderately to well-differentiated carcinomas lost expression of the 29-15 epitope at each HMBA concentration. The tumor growth fraction was decreased in each tumor, with a mean decrease of 76% at 5 mM HMBA. A dose-dependent induction of nonproliferating tumor colonies, lacking [3H]thymidine labeling, occurred in three of the four carcinomas. In six other tumors, including those at less differentiated stages, HMBA induced the opposite effect: a two- to threefold increase in the tumor growth fraction at the optimal value of 5 mM HMBA, an increase in mean colony size, and no loss of the 29-15 malignancy epitope. No effects were observed in the two other carcinomas tested. Thus HMBA was able to induce growth arrest and loss of the malignancy epitope 29-15 in those carcinomas already at an advanced stage of differentiation, and to exert a growth stimulating effect on those carcinomas apparently at more immature stages.

Acetamides↗

New chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity assay for colon carcinomas in monolayer culture.

Ten previously untreated colon carcinomas were tested for chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in primary monolayer culture. Colon carcinomas were partly digested to groups of epithelial cells which plated with a mean efficiency of 42 +/- 9% (SE) on a collagen I-bovine serum albumin substrate in serum-free medium, producing patches of tightly adherent epithelial cells. The cultured cells were judged epithelial by the presence of cytokeratins, an epithelial cell surface epitope, junctional complexes, and brush borders. Each carcinoma was plated in 40 to 60 Petri dishes (35 mm), yielding a mean of 28 +/- 8 (SE) colonies per dish (6832 +/- 1952 cells). Drugs tested in duplicate plates were mitomycin C, cisplatin, streptozotocin, and 5-fluorouracil at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 micrograms/ml, and at 0.1, 1, and 2x the peak tolerated drug concentration in serum. Twenty-four h after plating, any nonadherent cells were removed, and the adherent tumor cells were continuously exposed to the drugs for 3 days. Each drug induced colony lysis in a dose-dependent manner in responsive tumors. Drug-resistant, cycling cells were identified by [3H]thymidine incorporation in colonies which were not lysed by drug treatment. Each of the ten carcinomas exhibited inherent resistance to one or more chemotherapy drugs within the concentration ranges clinically achievable.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Six primary cancers in individuals. Report of four cases.

Four patients who had six or more primary cancers are described in this article. Two of the patients had seven cancers each; the most frequent cancer site was the colon. These patients were young at the onset of their first cancer and had a long survival. All the patients had a strong family history of cancer, especially colon cancer. We found that family members of individuals with multiple cancers should be considered to have an increased risk for the development of cancer.

Adult↗

Ogilvie's syndrome. Successful management without colonoscopy.

We reviewed the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of 25 patients with Ogilvie's syndrome (acute colonic pseudoobstruction) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1982 through 1985. All patients had cancer and severe associated medical problems. Abdominal x-rays uniformly showed cecal distension ranging between 9 and 18 cm. Twenty-four of the 25 patients were treated with conservative nonendoscopic management. One patient had an exploratory laparotomy for prophylactic cecostomy after only one day of conservative therapy. Of the 24 patients treated conservatively, 23 (96%) improved by both clinical and radiologic criteria in a mean of 3.0 days. The remaining patient died of multisystem failure not related to the acute colonic pseudoobstruction. Colonoscopic decompression was not attempted in any of the 25 patients. There were no colonic perforations, and there were no pseudoobstruction-related deaths. This study questions the need for early endoscopic or surgical treatment in cancer patients with acute colonic pseudoobstruction.

Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction↗

Effects of cumene hydroperoxide on adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase in mononuclear leukocytes of patients with adenomatous polyps in the colon.

We have studied the effects of plasma and of cumene hydroperoxide (CUM) on adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase (ADPRT) from mononuclear leukocytes (HML) of patients with colonic adenomatous polyps (n = 22), with colonic hyperplastic polyps (n = 5) and with neither type of polyp (controls) (n = 6). ADPRT was measured after incubation of HML with plasma alone (termed the plasma value), and with plasma plus CUM (50 microM) (the activated value); the difference elicited by CUM was termed the induced value. There was no significant difference in values between the control and hyperplastic polyp groups: these were combined for further analysis. The plasma (P = 0.038), activated (P = 0.009) and induced (P = 0.0024) values of the combined group all differed significantly from those of the adenoma group. At low exposures, CUM stimulated both ADPRT and unscheduled DNA synthesis and, at higher exposures, inactivated both. Pretreatment of HML with vitamin E protected against these effects of CUM, while pretreatment with diamide (which depletes GSH) accentuated the effects. This study demonstrates a differential reaction of ADPRT in patients harboring colonic adenomas and suggests that the origin of this difference may lie in cellular responses to oxidative stress.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Tumor-promoter-enhanced destruction of noninvasive human benign colon tumor cells by cocultivated carcinoma cells.

Colon carcinoma cells are first found as microscopic foci within benign tumors or adenomas. The carcinoma must invade the adenoma which protrudes into the colon lumen before it can infiltrate the bowel wall. A quantitative model for this process has been developed in tissue culture in which human colon carcinoma cells destroy cocultivated adenoma colonies. 43 adenoma colonies were assayed by cocultivation with carcinoma cells. Constitutive secretion of the urokinase form of plasminogen activator by carcinoma cells apparently plays some role in adenoma destruction as inhibition of this protease by the competitive inhibitor benzamidine reversibly inhibited adenoma destruction (p less than 0.01). Elevation of plasminogen activator secretion by addition of the tumor promoter 12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate significantly enhanced the destruction of colonies cultured from tubular adenomas with only mild dysplasia (p less than 0.025) and from villous, villotubular and tubular adenomas with moderate to severe dysplasia (p less than 0.0005).

Adenoma↗

Tritiated-thymidine labeling of rectal epithelial cells in 'non-prep' biopsies of individuals at increased risk for colonic neoplasia.

Recent measurements have shown increased proliferation of colonic epithelial cells in individuals at heightened risk for cancer of the large intestine. This biomarker has facilitated measurements of the effects of nutritional intervention in studies that are attempting to inhibit tumor development in high-risk individuals. In this study, further measurements were made of the proliferation of rectal epithelial cells, when biopsies were removed from mucosa that had not previously been disturbed by any tapwater or other enema preparations. Progressive increases were found in the numbers of [3H]dThd-labeled epithelial cells in rectal crypts, and in labeling index profiles, in patients having previous sporadic adenomas or colon cancer, compared to individuals who had not developed colonic neoplasms. The most quiescent proliferative equilibrium was found in individuals without previous colonic disease. Findings indicated that 'non-prep' rectal biopsies obtained from the most accessible region of the large intestine, show modifications in the biomarker of cell proliferation paralleling colon cancer risk.

Aged↗